Amaro wields the axe, sends three coaches packing

In these March 1, 2012, photos, Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Greg Gross, left, bench coach Pete Mackanin, center, and first base coach Sam Perlozzo pose for photos during baseball spring training in Clearwater, Fla. Immediately after finishing with a .500 record, the Phillies fired the three coaches. The club announced the changes after its season ended with a 3-1 loss at the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. The Phillies finished 81-81 and in third place in the NL East. (AP Photos/Matt Slocum)

WASHINGTON — The Phillies didn’t waste much time making the first of what should be several key changes to their organization this offseason.

Just minutes after a 5-1 loss in the season finale to Washington at Nationals Park Wednesday afternoon, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced in the Charlie Manuel’s office that first-base coach Sam Perlozzo would not have his contract renewed for next season. About an hour later and press release revealed that bench coach Pete Mackanin and hitting coach Greg Gross also would be replaced for 2013.

It is almost certain that Mackanin will be replaced by Ryne Sandberg, the Hall of Fame second baseman who has spent the last two seasons as manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate. Sandberg has been rumored for some time to be the heir apparent to Manuel, 68, when he his managerial tenure ends. It’s also likely that third-base coach Juan Samuel will shift to first base next season.

Among the candidates for the other openings are Steve Henderson, the former Tampa Bay Rays hitting coach who has been a roving hitting instructor for the Phils’ minor-league season the last three years, and former Phillie Mickey Morandini, who managed the Class A Lakewood Blue Claws in 2012.

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Manuel sounded like a manager who was pressed to make a shakeup after an 81-81 season that saw the Phillies’ five-year run as National League East champions end.

“It’s definitely not what he did,” Manuel said, speaking specifically of Perlozzo. “I look at him as a tremendous teach and a great coach. When you have to do some things and people become involved, some people on your staff have to be moved. I think that’s just the position we’re in. That’s how the organization feels.”